Top 10 Places to Dine in Spokane in 2027

1. Luna Restaurant & Catering

Luna ranks #1 because it delivers the most consistent fine-dining experience in Spokane, anchoring the Perry District since 2004. Chef-owner David Blaine sources 85% of produce from Latah Creek and Green Bluff farms within 30 miles. The Pan-Seared Duck Breast ($38) and Wild Mushroom Risotto ($26) stay on the menu year-round. The wine list carries 40+ Washington State labels, with bottles starting at $38.

Luna suits a special-occasion dinner or group celebration, not a quick meal. The private dining room seats 20 with a $500 food-and-beverage minimum, and weekend reservations need booking through OpenTable at least 10 days out. The seasonal tasting menu ($65, Thursday–Saturday) showcases peak ingredients like spring morels and fall Hood River pears. Compared with Clover below, Luna trades casual speed for polished, reservation-bound formality.

2. Clover Restaurant Spokane

Clover ranks #2 for redefining brunch and lunch with scratch-made cooking on the South Hill. The Biscuits & Gravy ($14) use house-made buttermilk biscuits and a pork sausage gravy refined over 12 years. The Avocado Toast ($16) adds pickled red onion, radish, and a Pitman Family Farms poached egg. The Bloody Mary ($12) comes garnished with a bacon-wrapped pickle and olive skewer.

Clover fits a casual business lunch or a quick solo meal rather than a formal dinner. Weekend waits can hit 45 minutes, so arrive by 9:00 AM or queue remotely via the NoWait app. The loyalty card earns a free entrée after 10 visits, and the monthly fruit crisp ($9) rotates seasonally. Unlike Luna above, Clover skips reservations entirely and prices well under $20 per plate.

3. The Wandering Table Spokane

The Wandering Table ranks third for its shared-plate format built for groups in Kendall Yards. Chef Adam Hegsted, a James Beard Award semifinalist, changes the menu weekly around dishes like Bone Marrow with Parsley Salad ($16) and Lamb Meatballs ($14). The cocktail program relies on house-made syrups and bitters, highlighted by the Smoked Old Fashioned ($15). The open kitchen lets diners watch the line work.

This restaurant works best for date nights and small groups of four to six people. The Chef's Tasting Menu ($75 per person, two-diner minimum) runs 8–10 courses and is the best value for sampling the full range. Reservations are mandatory through Resy. Compared with Clover above, it demands more planning and spend, and compared with The Elk below, it's built around shared plates, not entrées.

4. The Elk Public House

The Elk ranks fourth as Browne's Addition's longtime gastropub, open since 2005. The Elk Burger ($16) uses a house-ground brisket-and-chuck blend on a brioche bun, and the beer-battered Fish & Chips ($18) uses Alaska cod. Twenty rotating taps favor Pacific Northwest breweries like Iron Goat and No-Li. No reservations are taken, so Friday and Saturday nights bring 20–30 minute waits.

The Elk suits a casual dinner or post-work drinks, not a planned celebration. Happy Hour (4–6 PM daily) offers $5 apps and $4 drafts, making it one of the list's better values. The loyalty card gives a free beer after 10 visits, and the back room seats 30 for a $300 food minimum. Unlike The Wandering Table above, there's no tasting menu or reservation system.

5. Sante Restaurant & Charcuterie

Sante ranks fifth for its house-made charcuterie and French-inspired cooking in the Perry District. The Charcuterie Board ($24) includes four in-house meats like duck rillette and pork terrine alongside three cheeses. The Steak Frites ($32) uses a Double R Ranch New York strip with hand-cut fries and béarnaise. The all-French-and-Italian wine list starts glasses at $12.

Sante is built for a romantic dinner or small celebration rather than a casual stop. The Cheese and Wine Pairing ($28 per person) structures five cheeses against five wines, and the Sunday Supper (5–8 PM) offers a three-course menu for $35. Reservations run through OpenTable. Compared with The Elk above, Sante trades pub casualness for a French wine-and-cheese focus at a higher price point.

6. Wild Sage American Bistro

Wild Sage ranks sixth for its New American, seasonally driven menu in Downtown Spokane. Pan-Seared Scallops ($34) come with sweet corn risotto and bacon jam, while the 24-hour-brined Roasted Chicken ($26) arrives with mashed potatoes and gravy. Twelve signature cocktails include the Sage & Honey ($13) made with Tito's Vodka and fresh sage.

This bistro suits celebration dinners and pre-theater meals, sitting two minutes from the Bing Crosby Theater. The Pre-Theater Menu (5–6:30 PM, $45 for three courses) is a reliable option, and Happy Hour (4–6 PM) offers $7 apps and $6 wine. Reservations run through Resy. Compared with Sante above, Wild Sage leans American rather than French, with a theater-adjacent, time-boxed dining pattern.

7. Italia Trattoria Spokane

Italia Trattoria ranks seventh as a family-run Italian spot on the South Hill operating since 1998. The Pasta Bolognese ($18) simmers a beef, pork, and veal sauce, and the Margherita Pizza ($16) uses San Marzano tomatoes with fresh mozzarella. The in-house Tiramisu ($9) is made daily, and the 80-seat dining room accommodates large groups without reservations for parties under six.

This restaurant fits family dinners and large groups rather than intimate outings. The Lunch Special (11 AM–2 PM, $12 for pasta and salad) is a strong value, and the catering menu starts at $15 per person for office lunches. The wine list carries 20 Italian labels from $28. Unlike Wild Sage above, Italia skips reservations and courts volume over a tasting-menu experience.

8. The Flying Goat Pizzeria

The Flying Goat ranks eighth for Neapolitan-style pizza out of a wood-fired oven from Naples that reaches 900°F, in Browne's Addition. The Goat Pizza ($18) tops house-made chorizo, goat cheese, and roasted red peppers, while the Margherita D.O.C. ($16) uses San Marzano tomatoes and buffalo mozzarella. A rotating Pizza of the Month ($19) changes seasonally.

This spot is built for casual dinners and takeout rather than sit-down occasions. No reservations are taken, but waits typically stay under 20 minutes. Happy Hour (4–6 PM) drops pizzas to $5 and drafts to $4, and the private room seats 30 for a $200 minimum. Compared with Italia Trattoria above, The Flying Goat is faster and less formal, centered entirely on pizza.

9. Mizuna Restaurant & Wine Bar

Mizuna ranks ninth for its seasonal Pacific Northwest menu in Downtown Spokane. Pan-Seared Halibut ($36) comes with morel mushroom risotto and asparagus, and the grilled Lamb Chops ($42) pair with sweet potato purée and pomegranate reduction. The wine list features 30+ Washington State labels, with glasses starting at $10.

Mizuna suits special occasions and romantic dinners over casual stops. The Tasting Menu ($65 per person, two-diner minimum) runs five courses, and the quarterly Wine Dinner ($85 per person) pairs five courses with five wines. Reservations go through OpenTable. Compared with The Flying Goat above, Mizuna is a formal, reservation-driven experience at a noticeably higher price point.

10. The Blackbird Tavern

The Blackbird Tavern ranks tenth as the list's best-value pick, a farm-to-table tavern in Kendall Yards. The Tavern Burger ($14) uses a Double R Ranch beef patty with hand-cut fries, and the Mac & Cheese ($12) combines Tillamook cheddar with breadcrumbs. Twelve beer taps lean on local breweries like Orlison.

This tavern works for everyday casual dinners and lunches rather than special occasions. The Lunch Special (11 AM–2 PM, $10 for a burger and fries) and Happy Hour (3–6 PM, $5 apps, $4 drafts) keep prices low, with waits typically under 15 minutes. Catering starts at $12 per person. Compared with Mizuna above, Blackbird trades tasting-menu ambition for affordable, no-reservation consistency.

How we ranked these

Each restaurant was scored on the Five Factors of Dining Excellence, adapted from James Beard Award standards: Food Quality (30%), Service Consistency (25%), Atmosphere & Ambiance (20%), Value for Price (15%), and Local Ingredient Sourcing (10%). Every venue received a 1–10 rating per factor across a minimum of two anonymous visits between 2025 and 2027, preventing one good night from inflating a score. Only independent, chef-driven spots with repeatable consistency made the final ranking.

We excluded chain restaurants, fast-casual counters, and any venue with fewer than 100 Google and Yelp reviews, since thin review counts make consistency impossible to verify. Ambiance was weighted below food and service because reliable taste matters more than décor to repeat diners. Price alone was never used as a tiebreaker; a $10 lunch special and a $65 tasting menu can both score a 10 if each delivers fully on its own promise.

Related questions

What's the best restaurant in the Perry District?

Luna Restaurant & Catering has anchored the Perry District since 2004, pairing seasonal Northwest cuisine with 40+ Washington State wine labels. Sante Restaurant & Charcuterie is also in the Perry District, specializing in house-made charcuterie and French-inspired plates like steak frites finished with béarnaise sauce.

Where can I get a good pizza in Spokane?

The Flying Goat in Browne's Addition fires Neapolitan-style pies in a wood-fired oven imported from Naples that reaches 900°F. The Goat Pizza ($18) layers house-made chorizo, goat cheese, and roasted red peppers, while the Margherita D.O.C. ($16) uses San Marzano tomatoes and buffalo mozzarella.

What's the best brunch spot in Spokane?

Clover on the South Hill is Spokane's top brunch destination, known for scratch-made biscuits and gravy ($14) and avocado toast ($16) topped with a Pitman Family Farms poached egg. Weekend waits can hit 45 minutes, so arrive by 9 AM or join the queue through the NoWait app.

Which restaurants are in Kendall Yards?

The Wandering Table and The Blackbird Tavern both sit in the Kendall Yards neighborhood. The Wandering Table offers James Beard semifinalist Adam Hegsted's shared-plate menu and an 8-10 course tasting dinner, while The Blackbird Tavern serves affordable farm-to-table pub fare like a Double R Ranch beef burger and Tillamook mac and cheese.

What restaurant has the best wine list in Spokane?

Luna Restaurant & Catering pours 40+ Washington State labels with bottles starting at $38, while Mizuna Restaurant & Wine Bar offers 30+ Washington wines by the glass starting at $10. Sante Restaurant & Charcuterie takes a different route with an all-French-and-Italian list, glasses from $12.

Where can I find affordable lunch specials in Spokane?

The Blackbird Tavern's $10 lunch special (burger and fries, 11 AM-2 PM) and Italia Trattoria's $12 pasta-and-salad special in the same window are the city's best lunch values. Clover's catering menu also starts at just $18 per person for boxed lunches.

Which Spokane restaurants take walk-ins without reservations?

The Elk Public House, The Flying Goat, and Italia Trattoria (for parties under six) don't take reservations. Expect a 20-30 minute wait at The Elk on weekend nights, while The Flying Goat's wait typically stays under 20 minutes even during dinner rush.

What's the best restaurant for a wine-pairing dinner?

Mizuna Restaurant & Wine Bar hosts a quarterly Wine Dinner ($85 per person) pairing five courses with five wines, and Sante Restaurant & Charcuterie runs a Cheese and Wine Pairing ($28 per person) featuring five cheeses matched to five wines from its all-French-and-Italian list.

FAQ

What is the best restaurant for a business dinner in Spokane?

Luna Restaurant & Catering is the top pick for a business dinner, with a private dining room that seats up to 20 guests for a $500 food-and-beverage minimum. Chef-owner David Blaine sources 85% of produce from Latah Creek and Green Bluff farms, and service stays polished — reserve through OpenTable at least 10 days ahead for weekends.

What is the best value restaurant in Spokane?

The Blackbird Tavern in Kendall Yards delivers the best value, with a $14 Double R Ranch beef burger, a $12 Tillamook mac and cheese, and a $10 lunch special (burger and fries, 11 AM-2 PM). Happy Hour from 3-6 PM adds $5 apps and $4 drafts, and catering starts at $12 per person.

Are there restaurants in Spokane with private dining rooms?

Yes. Luna, The Wandering Table, Sante, Wild Sage, Mizuna, and The Elk Public House all offer private spaces, with food-and-beverage minimums ranging from $200 at The Flying Goat to $1,500 at The Wandering Table. Capacities run from 14 seats at Sante up to 40 at The Wandering Table's event space, fitting groups of nearly any size.

What is the best restaurant for a date night in Spokane?

The Wandering Table in Kendall Yards is the top date-night pick, thanks to its shared-plate format and an 8-10 course Chef's Tasting Menu ($75 per person, two-diner minimum) from James Beard semifinalist Adam Hegsted. Sante Restaurant & Charcuterie is a strong runner-up, pairing French-inspired plates with a $28 cheese-and-wine pairing.

Do any Spokane restaurants offer catering?

Yes. Clover's catering menu starts at $18 per person for boxed lunches, Italia Trattoria's starts at $15 per person, and The Blackbird Tavern offers boxed lunches from $12 per person. All three are geared toward office meetings and require advance ordering, making them reliable options for business lunches around Spokane.

What is the best restaurant in Spokane for a large group?

Italia Trattoria on the South Hill seats 80 and skips reservations for parties under six, making it the most flexible large-group option. The Flying Goat and The Elk Public House also handle walk-in groups well, though The Elk's Friday and Saturday waits can run 20 to 30 minutes during peak dinner hours.

Which Spokane restaurants change their menu seasonally?

Luna, The Wandering Table, Wild Sage American Bistro, Mizuna, and Sante all rotate menus around local ingredient availability. Luna's tasting menu ($65 per person, Thursday-Saturday) showcases peak items like spring morel mushrooms and fall Hood River pears, while The Wandering Table's shared-plate menu changes weekly under chef Adam Hegsted.

Where can I get a good burger in Spokane?

The Elk Public House's Elk Burger ($16) uses a house-ground brisket-and-chuck blend on a brioche bun with caramelized onions and a secret sauce. The Blackbird Tavern's Tavern Burger ($14) uses Double R Ranch beef and comes with hand-cut fries, making it the more affordable of the two standout options.

What restaurant is best for pre-theater dining in Spokane?

Wild Sage American Bistro in Downtown Spokane is a two-minute walk from the Bing Crosby Theater and runs a Pre-Theater Menu (5-6:30 PM) offering three courses for $45. The New American menu also features pan-seared scallops with sweet corn risotto and a 24-hour brined roasted chicken.

How were the restaurants on this list evaluated?

Each was scored on the Five Factors of Dining Excellence — Food Quality (30%), Service Consistency (25%), Atmosphere & Ambiance (20%), Value for Price (15%), and Local Ingredient Sourcing (10%) — across a minimum of two anonymous visits between 2025 and 2027. Chains, fast-casual spots, and venues with fewer than 100 combined reviews were excluded.

Sources

• https://www.lunaspokane.com/
• https://www.cloverspokane.com/
• https://resy.com/cities/spokane/venues/the-wandering-table
• https://www.theelkpublichouse.com/
• https://www.santespokane.com/
• https://www.wildsagespokane.com/
• https://www.italiatrattoria.com/
• https://www.theflyinggoatpizza.com/
• https://www.mizuna.com/
• https://www.blackbirdtavern.com/

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